BT - The Crafty Gardener: The Daily Life of a 'Blow In' to Ireland from the UK, how we try and tame 5 acres and live with the weather - plus my family and crafting exploits.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Visitors Part 2. Gort Show, Galway, Sandhill, Feakle.

Now where was I? Ah yes, at the Gort show. Hopefully the photo upload will be quicker tonight.

Outside at the show were lots of stalls and some entertainment too. These curly topped dancers put on a great display:

I bet they were hot. They all wore those curly wigs - I'd have preferred their own hair.

Kirsty, Lina and I found an ice cream van! Then, cone in hand, we wandered up to the dog show. I love these shows. Here is the judge inspecting one of the collies.

There was a gorgeous Dalmatian and puppy there too and we stroked and petted the pup. Kirsty wanted to take it home!

The day was soon over and we went back to the hall to collect up all our belongings. Jim queued for our prize money and I had my photo taken with the photo frames I had won for coming 3rd overall in the photo competition.

Galway and Salthill

This was the last day so we made the most of it. We headed off to Galway and Jim dropped us off by the cathedral while he went and looked at computers, as his had died!

I haven't been inside the cathedral before and it was quite a surprise as it wasn't built until the 1950s, so was quite modern. It is very beautiful though and there are some wonderful stained glass windows and mosaics.

Galway cathedral exterior.

I loved these little fish on the main doors:

I have tried to select just a few from the inside:

Looking up into the dome was stunning.

This wonderful mosaic is at the far end of the cathedral.

One of several rose windows.

My favourite shot, taken looking down the central aisle.

Many photos later, we left the cathedral and walked into the main shopping area. Kirsty wanted to buy a present for her fiance so we did a bit of shop hopping. The streets were full of people and buskers and bands. It really is a great city to visit. Shopping done, we walked up to Eyre Square and waited for Jim to come and pick us up.

I just loved these shoes....

The chap in the hat drove this lovely cart around and you could go for a ride. I would have taken us all but for Jim arriving to pick us up. Lina and Kirsty petted the horse.

A lovely photo of Kirsty and Lina. Lina bought this super hat with panda ears!

Jim drove us to a place called Salthill. We have never been there before and thought we'd see what it was like. It's a real seaside resort and has a fairground - but no fish and chip shops! We played on the beach for a while and on the rocks:

L - R. Me, Kirsty, K and Lina. It was a bit windy, as you can see from my hair!

Jim took this lovely photo of some people diving off a board into the sea. The sun was going down and it was getting late. And our tummies were empty, so we headed back to Galway and the splendid fish and chip shop there!

Jim and me eating our lovely fish and chips. Rather a crazy photo taken by K!

We headed back to Feakle as it was the last day of the music festival there. Kirsty had wanted to try a Guinness so we went to Peppers Bar to see what was happening there. It was buzzing and there was an Irish band playing outside and lots of dancing. Kirsty had her Guinness and it really was the perfect end to our day - and K, Kirsty and Lina's stay with us. They had to catch a plane very early in the morning.

Garden Update - Quick one!

We've been back to the gardening and have started work on the back yard. It was very overgrown with grass and covered in stones left by the builders. We have done much stone clearing and grass digging and things are actually beginning to take shape. I'll post photos soon.

I'm off AGAIN!

Tomorrow I'm off to Suffolk for a week. I know I know. I'm staying with Jason, Sam, Jack and Kitty. Usually we have a few days away at a caravan but this time we are having 'days out' chosen by Jack. Goodness knows where we'll be going but I do know one of the days is to Legoland. What fun.

14 comments:

What a lovely visit with family. Your photos are wonderful. It sounds like a perfectly delightful visit. The cathedral is very beautiful and the sea pictures are nice with the wind/sun. Have fun on this next adventure!

Wonderful pics as usual Gina - those little dancers are so sweet. The cathedral is wonderful - I didn't think anything built in the 1950's could be so lovely. I like those shoes but my feet would prefer the ride in the horse drawn cart. Salthill looks great - fish, chips and Guinness, yum! Have a super time in Suffolk.

Twitter

About Me

I have had a varied and at times wild life of loves and marriages, children and grandchildren. Jim, my husband and I moved back from Ireland some time ago and I haven't had the heart to blog since. Now living on the balmy South Coast of England. I miss my 5 acres badly. Big Labour Party supporter as is Jim Deen my husband.